[Natasha was struggling with an Ultron drone when Captain America rushed over, throwing his shield and shouting, "Romanoff!"]
["Thanks!" Natasha acknowledged, throwing her Widow's Bite at the neck of another drone to immobilize it, then grabbed the shield to block an attack from a third.]
[As the drone lunged at her, Natasha ducked to avoid the attack and struck its legs with the shield. Before it could counter, she stepped forward and slammed the shield into its face, forcing it backward.]
[Seeing Captain America approaching, she threw the shield back to him. He leapt into the air, caught it, and used his momentum to smash it down onto the drone's head, destroying it completely.]
[While everyone fought valiantly in the battle, Tony was not idle either. He continuously sought ways to neutralize Ultron's plan.]
["The vibranium core got a magnetic field that's keeping the rock together, and it's also creating the anti-gravity effect. If we can find a way to disrupt it..."]
[After hearing FRIDAY's scan analysis, Tony clicked his tongue in frustration.]
[Tony began formulating a solution: "The vibranium's molecular integrity makes it unbreakable. If I get Thor to hit it..."]
[Before he could finish, FRIDAY responded: "It would crack, but that's not enough. The impact would still be devastating."]
[When his first plan failed, Tony proposed another: "Maybe we can cap the other end. It'll cause a heat seal and—"]
[FRIDAY immediately warned of the consequences: "It would vaporize the city. And everyone on it."]
"Damn Ultron! That bastard!!!" 1st gen Spiderman slammed his fist on the table.
"This is terrifying! There are still so many people trapped up there! The Avengers are fighting for their lives!" someone else cried out.
"I hope they can resolve this peacefully somehow!"
"God bless them! Amen!"
Countless observers watching the Sky Screen began cursing Ultron or praying for the safe return of the citizens and Avengers trapped above.
Even J. Jonah Jameson's Daily Bugle had published reports and speculations about how Tony Stark might resolve the Sokovia crisis.
1st gen Spiderman placed today's newspaper on the table, feeling helpless. Even if he were there, he wouldn't be able to do much in this situation.
Both Dr. Octavius and Dr. Connors had to admit that destroying the entire city and landmass was likely the best solution available. The second-best option would be to somehow launch the floating land away from Earth permanently!
Beyond these two options, even if Tony employed some method to slow the city's descent, it would still cause catastrophic damage. Even a minor earthquake could trigger devastating aftereffects.
In the worst-case scenario, it might cause worldwide disasters and potentially extinction-level events. Otto believed Tony would never risk such an outcome, not to mention that it might already be too late.
Sokovia's altitude was clearly increasing, with oxygen levels gradually depleting and temperatures continuously dropping. If this continued, even without implementing any destruction plan, the people above would soon perish from oxygen deprivation and hypothermia.
[Captain America eliminated the enemies in his vicinity and began directing residents to safety. He contacted Tony: "The next wave's gonna hit any minute. What have you got, Stark?"]
["Well, nothing great. Maybe a way to blow up the city. That'll keep it from impacting the surface, if you guys can get clear." Tony delivered the grim news with a somber expression.]
[Captain America's reaction was as Tony expected: "I asked for a solution, not an escape plan."]
[Captain America wanted to find a way to have the best of both worlds, but reality proved harsh: "Impact radius is getting bigger every second. We're gonna have to make a choice."]
[Natasha, overhearing their conversation, interjected: "Cap, these people are going nowhere. If Stark finds a way to blow this rock..."]
[Captain America stated firmly: "Not 'til everyone's safe."]
[Natasha, understanding his mindset, posed the difficult question directly: "Everyone up here versus everyone down there? There's no math there."]
[But Captain America remained resolute: "I'm not leaving this rock with one civilian on it."]
[Natasha tilted her head thoughtfully: "I didn't say we should leave." After a pause, she added quietly, "There's worse ways to go. Where else am I gonna get a view like this?"]
[Captain America looked back at her, and they both gazed silently at the clouds stretching across the sky.]
["Glad you like the view, Romanoff. It's about to get better." A familiar voice suddenly rang out.]
[Their eyes widened as they watched an enormous object gradually rising into view from beneath the clouds.]
[The commotion naturally caught the attention of residents and Avengers still on the floating city, all turning to look at the approaching vessel.]
[Pietro's face registered surprise, and he immediately raced toward the nearest gathering point.]
["Nice, right? Pulled her out of mothballs with a couple of old friends. She's dusty, but she'll do."]
[Nick Fury stood in the command center, smiling at them with numerous busy agents working behind him.]
[Captain America narrowed his eyes, looked at the helicarrier, and laughed: "Fury, you son of a bitch!"]
["Ooh! You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Nick Fury teased, remembering someone who once chided others for swearing.]
["Altitude 18,000 feet and climbing!" Maria Hill reported from her station.]
["Boats deployed. Disengage in three, two... take 'em out." Following a handsome young agent's command, numerous lifeboats launched from the helicarrier's sides, heading toward various locations across Sokovia.]
[Pietro stood before Captain America and the others, watching this divine intervention from the sky, and exclaimed: "This is SHIELD?"]
[Captain America replied calmly: "This is what SHIELD's supposed to be."]
["This is not so bad," Pietro nodded appreciatively. Their arrival at the most critical moment improved his opinion of the organization.]
[Seeing the lifeboats approaching, Captain America immediately issued orders: "Let's load 'em up!" Then he ran toward the buildings behind them.]